Ep. 368: I Want Work-Life Balance. Am I Doomed to Mediocrity?

Ep. 368: I Want Work-Life Balance. Am I Doomed to Mediocrity?

A 22-year-old made a splash recently when he published a Wall Street Journal op-ed claiming that work-life balance makes you mediocre. He went on to brag about how sleeping less than 4 hours a night and gaining 80 pounds helped him become a millionaire. In this episode, Cal wades into the furious debate this article sparked. He argues that once you look past the author’s dorm bro bravado, the kid does actually ask a good question. It’s just that his answers are lacking. Cal then tackles listener questions and reviews the books he read in August.

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia

Deep Dive: I Want Work-Life Balance. Am I Doomed to Mediocrity? [1:06]

Is it possible to stay focused when having to check my phone for text messages? [42:20]

When did you switch back to your teaching schedule to your summer schedule? [44:05]

How has your deep life evolved since Episode 1? [49:22]

How can I stop obsessively checking my work email? [53:47]

Can you summarize how values and strategic planning documents, birthday projects and lifestyle centric planning combine? [58:14]

CASE STUDY: Organizing household admin [1:01:44]

CALL: How to tame Trello cards [1:06:39]

AUGUST BOOKS: The 5 books Cal read in August 2025 [1:13:26]

Boundless Realm (Foxx Note)
Collisions (Alec Nevala-Lee)
Before the Birds Sang Words (Ken Bruce)
Desperation Reef (T Jefferson Parker)
Shift (Hugh Howey)

Links:

Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at calnewport.com/slow
Get a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/
Cal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VX1XHMlX1J0

Thanks to our Sponsors:

ridge.com (use code “Cal”)
drinklmnt.com/deep
shopify.com/deep
calderalab.com/deep

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jaksot(399)

Ep. 55: Shallow Teams, Vague Goals, and Pandemic Screen Time

Ep. 55: Shallow Teams, Vague Goals, and Pandemic Screen Time

In this episode of Deep Questions I answer reader questions about working deeply with shallow teams, taking action on vague goals, and reducing screen time during a pandemic. We also celebrate reachin...

21 Joulu 20201h 20min

Ep. 54: Habit Tune-Up: Capture Tools, Getting Started, and Building Skills at Home

Ep. 54: Habit Tune-Up: Capture Tools, Getting Started, and Building Skills at Home

In this mini-episode, I answer audio questions from listeners asking for advice about how best to tune-up their productivity and work habits in a moment of increased distraction and disruption.You can...

17 Joulu 202039min

Ep. 53: Covey's Quads, "Perfect" Productivity Systems, and Reducing Laziness

Ep. 53: Covey's Quads, "Perfect" Productivity Systems, and Reducing Laziness

In this episode of Deep Questions I answer reader questions about Stephen Covey's quad systems, the quixotic quest for a "perfect" productivity system, and reducing laziness, among many other topics.T...

14 Joulu 20201h 19min

Ep. 52: Habit Tune-Up: Pandemic-Induced Overload, Side Hustles, and Managing for Depth

Ep. 52: Habit Tune-Up: Pandemic-Induced Overload, Side Hustles, and Managing for Depth

In this mini-episode, I answer audio questions from listeners asking for advice about how best to tune-up their productivity and work habits in a moment of increased distraction and disruption.You can...

10 Joulu 202036min

Ep. 51: Saying "No", Building an Email List Without Social Media, and Falling Short of High Expectations | DEEP QUESTIONS

Ep. 51: Saying "No", Building an Email List Without Social Media, and Falling Short of High Expectations | DEEP QUESTIONS

In this episode of Deep Questions I answer reader questions about saying "no" when others will say "yes" to the same offer, building an email list without social media, and falling short of high expec...

7 Joulu 20201h 19min

Ep. 50: Habit Tune-Up: Artificial Overload, Deep Retirement, and Motivational Crises

Ep. 50: Habit Tune-Up: Artificial Overload, Deep Retirement, and Motivational Crises

In this mini-episode, I answer audio questions from listeners asking for advice about how best to tune-up their productivity and work habits in a moment of increased distraction and disruption.You can...

3 Joulu 202038min

Ep. 49: Organizing Massive Projects, Taming IM, and Exploring the Deep Life Canon

Ep. 49: Organizing Massive Projects, Taming IM, and Exploring the Deep Life Canon

In this episode of Deep Questions I answer reader questions about organizing massive projects, taming IM, and elaborating the books I would include in the Deep Life Canon.To submit your own questions,...

30 Marras 20201h 34min

Ep. 48: Habit Tune-Up: Deep Athletes, Idea Capture, and Distracting Rumination

Ep. 48: Habit Tune-Up: Deep Athletes, Idea Capture, and Distracting Rumination

In this mini-episode, I answer audio questions from listeners asking for advice about how best to tune-up their productivity and work habits in a moment of increased distraction and disruption.You can...

26 Marras 202049min

Suosittua kategoriassa Koulutus

rss-murhan-anatomia
psykopodiaa-podcast
voi-hyvin-meditaatiot-2
rss-valo-minussa-2
adhd-podi
psykologia
rss-narsisti
salainen-paivakirja
rss-liian-kuuma-peruna
rss-duodecim-lehti
rahapuhetta
aloita-meditaatio
rss-vapaudu-voimaasi
rss-niinku-asia-on
kesken
rss-luonnollinen-synnytys-podcast
aamukahvilla
rss-uskonto-on-tylsaa
rss-selvat-savelet
rss-koira-haudattuna